Your Complete Guide to The Christ The Redeemer – Tips, Costs & Best Views!
Christ The Redeemer statue is one of the most iconic landmarks in Brazil. The art-deco statue is located on top of Corcovado Mountain, which overlooks Rio de Janeiro, making it a must-see for anyone visiting this beautiful city. You can see it from pretty much anywhere in Rio.
Since becoming one of the New 7 Wonders of The World, the Christ has attracted more visitors every year, becoming one of the most visited attractions in the world.
But what is it like to actually go there? What should you expect if you plan on visiting this incredible place?
In this guide, you will find every piece of information you need to know before visiting Christ The Redeemer.
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Facts about the statue of Christ The Redeemer
- Contrary to popular belief, most parts of Christ The Redeemer were actually crafted in Brazil, not in France.
- The idea of building Christ The Redeemer firtst started in 1920, after World War I.
- The statue is 30 meters high and 28 meters wide.
- There is a chapel located right under the Christ and it is open for visitation.
- Christ The Redeemer has been chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of The World.
- The statue was built with only donations of Brazilians. It costed near 9,5 millions of Brazilian Reais.
- The Christ is made with pieces of reinforced concrete and soapstone coated in some parts, such as the heart and eyes. Yes, Christ the Redeemer has a 1,30 meter heart right in the middle of his chest.
Opening times
The Corcovado is open from 08:00 until 1:00, all year round. The last train back to the visitors center leaves at 20:30.
How much does it cost to visit Christ The Redeemer
First things first. If you wonder how much it really costs to visit Christ The Redeemer, the answer is simple: it depends!
There are many different ways of getting to the Christ, and prices may vary big time depending on the option you choose, as indicated below.
How to get to Christ the Redeemer
There are four main ways of visiting Christ The Redeemer: by van, train, with a tour agency, and hiking.
By cog train (or bondinho, in Portuguese)
To visit Christ The Redeemer by Train, the first step is getting to the Christ Redeemer Visitor Center located at the address Rua Cosme Velho, 513 – Santa Teresa Rio de Janeiro.
This visitor center is located at the base of the Corcovado Mountain, and it is where the Corcovado train departure every thirty minutes.
To get to the visitor center, you can take an Uber, a taxi, or the metro.
From the visitor center, the train ride up to the statue lasts around 20 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Forest.
Price:
For adults, R$61 at low season and R$74 at high season.
By van
As regarding visiting Christ The Redeemer by van, there are four oficial departure points: Largo do Machado , Copacabana , Barra da Tijuca e Centro de Visitantes Paineiras.
The van does pick-ups between 8 am and 4:30 pm every day. They leave every 15 minutes, and the journey to the Christ can take from half an hour to an hour,
If you are buying your tickets on the spot, make sure to arrive at any of these spots at least one hour before you plan on embarking; lines can get huge.
Price:
The van tickets to Christ The Redeemer cost R$40 in the high season, R$27 in the low season.
By tour
Visiting Christ The Redeemer with a tour is by far the easiest way.
Most tours will pick you up from your hotel and include other famous Rio de Janeiro landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mountain and the Maracanã Stadium.
Also, tours include English-speaking guides that will tell you everything about the history of these iconic places and even take you for lunch at a famous ‘churrascaria.’
In my opinion, this is one of the safest ways of visiting Christ The Redeemer if you don’t speak any Portuguese.
Here are some options of really great tours:
| Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracana and Selaron with Lunch
Get an overview of Rio’s most important sights during this comprehensive 8-hour tour. With a local guide, travel through the Tijuca Forest, stopping at Paineiras to board transportation to the top of Corcovado, home of the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Take the cable car from Urca up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, then eat lunch at one of the city’s best steakhouses before visits to Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadrome.
| Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain Small-Group Tour
Summit both Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains in the early morning to beat the crowds on this half-day tour in Rio de Janeiro.
After bright and early pick-up from your Rio hotel, travel through the Tijuca National Forest to get up close with the Christ the Redeemer statue without crowds of people around.
After learning about its history from your local guide, move on to Sugar Loaf Mountain for spectacular views of the sprawling city, slowly waking up in the morning light. Tickets for the Sugar Loaf cable car are not included.
| Full Day Complete Tour of Rio de Janeiro
Get an overview of Rio’s most important sights during this comprehensive, full-day tour. With a local guide, visit Copacabana Beach, Botafogo Beach and Palácio Guanabara.
Travel through the Tijuca Forest, stopping at Paineiras on the way up Corcovado to see the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Take the cable car from Urca up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, then eat lunch at one of the city’s best steakhouses before visits to Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadrome. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.
Hiking
Yes, it is totally possible to hike to Christ the Redeemer.
The trail starts at Parque Lage (one of my favorite places in Rio) and is completely free – although it is possible to take a guided group.
The hike is not challenging, but I would highly advise you not to do it by yourself. It’s Rio de Janeiro, after all, and some muggings have previously occurred on the trail.
Price
You can get your tickets to the Christ online or at the entrance. They cost R$24 in the high season and R$12 in the low season.
Helicopter tour
If money is not an issue, flying over the Christ with a helicopter tour is also an epic option.
On a helicopter tour, you will enjoy a bird’s eye perspective of the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, and many other beaches and landmarks.
You can book a 30 or 60-minute helicopter tour in advance here.
Best time to visit Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
As the statue of Christ The Redeemer is open all year round, you can visit it at any time.
However, there are certain things to consider when it comes to visiting.
First, the time of your visit. Chris The Redeemer is one of the most visited places in South America, and it can get pretty crowded.
If possible, go as early as you can or around 4 pm to catch the sunset from the top of the mountain. These time frames are usually less crowded.
Another thing to consider is how clear the sky is. Visiting Christ The Redeemer on a cloudy or rainy day is definitely not a good idea, as the whole experience can be seriously affected.
Safety
Is it really safe to visit Christ The Redeemer?
The simple answer is yes, as long as you respect some standard travel safety advice and: do not go hiking on the trail by yourself and maybe avoid visiting Christ The Redeemer during rush hours.
What to pack for Christ The Redeemer?
- A big water bottle. Trust me: Rio de Janeiro can get VERY hot and you don’t wanna find yourself on the top of a mountain without plenty of water to hydrate
- Comfy shoes. Don’t even think about wearing high heels or unforgettable shoes here.
- A hat. To protect your head from the sun and avoid getting sunburnt.
- Speaking of the sun, lots of sunscreens, always!
Tips for visiting Christ the Redeemer
Here are some tips on how to make your visit to Christ The Redeemer even more memorable.
Bring a light snack
If you plan to visit Christ The Redeemer after 4 pm, make sure you pack some snacks for the way before climbing up to watch the sunset.
The picture too great pictures: angles and a lot of patience
Since Chris The Redeemer is by far the most photographed icon of Rio de Janeiro, you should expect lots of people in your way.
That being said, carefully choose your spot and wait for the right moment to take some epic pictures.
From my experience, the best way to get a good picture s by staying on top of the stairs while the person taking the picture stands a few steps below you.
Selfies are also a great option!
Get your tickets in advance
I highly recommend getting your tickets in advance online.
This will save you a ton of time and stress since lines can be very long at the entrance.
However, if it’s low season and you don’t know exactly when you will be getting to the Christ, buying the tickets at the entrance might be a good idea.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to visit Christ the Redeemer?
I would say two hours is the perfect amount of time to visit Christ The Redeemer.
To be honest, there isn’t a lot to do on the base of the statue besides taking pictures and admiring the views.
How many tourists visit christ redeemer
Christ The Redeemer welcomes up to ten thousand visitors PER DAY. Isn’t that crazy?
Why was Christ the Redeemer built?
The idea of building a large statue on top of Corcovado was first suggested in the mid-1850s, when Father Pedro Maria Boss suggested placing a Christian monument on Monte do Corcovado to honor Princess Isabel, regent of Brazil and daughter of Emperor Dom Pedro II.
What is Christ the Redeemer made out of?
The statue is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.
Where is a good place to eat near Christ the Redeemer?
If you feel hungry after visiting the monument, the restaurant Taberna 564 is a good place to eat. Although it’s located right across the street from the visitors center, the restaurant has very fair prices.
Why is Christ the Redeemer a wonder of the world?
Because it was voted for! To be honest, I don’t think Christ The Redeemer can be compared to, let’s say, Machu Picchu or The Great Wall of China. However, the New 7 Wonders of The World are a popularity contest, and the Christ was one of the finalists.
Best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro
I highly recommend staying in Copacabana, Leme, or Ipanema. There are upscale and relatively safe neighborhoods.
However, if you want to visit Christ the Redeemer and stay somewhere that’s closer than 30 minutes away from it, Barra da Tijuca is a good option.
Here are some options of great hotels to stay in Rio de Janeiro:
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel
Copacabana Palace is by far the most iconic hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
Located right in front of Copacabana beach, the hotel offers a great view of the most famous icon of Rio de Janeiro. In addition, it has an amazing pool, a spa, and three sophisticated restaurants.
This is an outstanding hotel to stay.
Miramar Hotel by Windsor Hotels
Miramar Hotel is an upscale hotel located in Copacabana Beach. Here, guests can start the day admiring the beautiful beach view while savoring a rich breakfast.
Also, the hotel has amenities such as a green granite pool, a modern gym, and a sun terrace. This is a great pet-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro
Fasano is a classic hotel located in the heart of Ipanema.
Its restaurant is among the best in Rio de Janeiro, and its bar offers one of the most spectacular views of the city. Inside this 5 star hotel, you will find a nightclub, a solarium, a spa, a terrace, and a wellness center.
Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Last but not least, here is another Copacabana classic.
The Fairmont Hotel offers scenic views of the Sugar Loaf, plus a panoramic pool. Guests can also enjoy a fitness center, gym class,
wedding services, beauty, and various wellness options offered by SPA Willow Stream.
Other fun things to do in Rio de Janeiro
You already visited Christ The Redeemer and have a few extra days in Rio de Janeiro? That’s great!
Here are some incredible tours to explore the city:
Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio
Get a birds-eye of some of the most beautiful places in the city in a hand gliding or paragliding experience in Rio de Janeiro.
All Inclusive Speed Boat Tour in Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande from Rio
Explore the beautiful beaches outside of Rio de Janeiro on this full-day tour to Ilha Grande. Visit a handful of stunning spots such as the Blue Lagoon, Japariz Beach, and the Botinas Islands.
Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and soaking up the warm Brazilian sun with your small group and sit down to a delicious local lunch.
Rocinha Favela Walking Tour
Get an in-depth local experience with this walking tour of one of Rio’s favelas, Rocinha.
Follow your resident guide to get an insider’s perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face.
Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour from Rio de Janeiro
Ride through Tijuca National Park’s rainforest in an open-top Jeep during this half-day trip from Rio.
During guided eco-tour, hike through the forest to spot sloths, butterflies, monkeys, and birds. Enjoy panoramic views from Vista Chinesa (Chinese View) and marvel at the fact that this section of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) is just 10 minutes outside the city limits.
Lapa Palooza Pub Crawl
Discover Rio’s bustling nightlife on a pub crawl through the neighborhoods of Lapa and Ipanema.
Stop at a variety of bars, clubs, and parties and enjoy free shots and caipirinhas throughout the evening. Enjoy a worry-free excursion with free transportation provided between stops as you explore with your guides. This is a fun and safe way to explore Rio at night and meet other travelers along the way.
Wrap-up: How to visit Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
That’s a wrap! Now you know every little bit of information you need for visiting Christ The Redeemer, the most iconic landmark in Brazil.
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